Bodies of Saudi asylum seeker sisters found dead in Sydney repatriated to country they fled

The Guardian understands their bodies were repatriated sometime last week, and they were buried according to Islamic traditions.

Asra and Amaal were found in their beds in their apartment on Canterbury Road, Canterbury on 7 June.

The sisters were both seeking asylum in Australia: each had an active claim for asylum ongoing with the Department of Home Affairs and had engaged with settlement services providers in Sydney.

Government sources have confirmed the sisters, who arrived in Australia in 2017, had had their claim for protection initially refused at the departmental level, but were not at the end of the asylum process. Still open to them was a full merits review before the administrative appeals tribunal, appeals to the federal court, and an application for ministerial review.

They had valid visas and were not facing removal from Australia.

Both sisters worked in traffic control for a construction company.

The older sister, Asra, had also applied for an apprehended violence order in January 2019 against a man, although that application was withdrawn.

The building manager found nothing, and reportedly called police to conduct a welfare check after a plumber had noted they looked afraid. Police attended the unit at the time, asked a series of questions and left.

The sheriff was later called to the unit after the women fell behind on their rent, leading to the discovery of their bodies.

About 75 Saudi women have been granted permanent protection visas in Australia in the past five years.